Dr. René Kemp, senior researcher at UNU-MERIT, speaks at the "Environment and Energy Innovation in Economic Dynamics" conference which took place in Rome at the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei on 21-22 May 2009. The conference was organised by Fondazione Edison.

Dr. Kemp's presentation is entitled: "Innovation, environmental policy and lock-in effects: Perspectives on the transition towards a greener economy".

Unfortunately, the slides in this video presentation are difficult to read. The accompanying slides can be downloaded from: kemp.unu-merit.nl/docs/200905_rome.ppt

Abstract:
In Europe the term environmental technology is superseded by the broader concept of eco-innovation in recognition of the shifting attention to product change and changes in product chains. Issues of resource efficiency, the closing of material loops and alternative systems of provision are discussed under the new label of eco-innovation. Eco-innovation is also the stated aim of government. It is part of the Sustainable development strategy and the economic growth strategy of the European Commission because of the assumption of offering a ‘double win’. In his presentation paper Dr. Kemp examines national and international patterns in eco-innovation and policy efforts towards eco-innovation in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is interesting because it has developed a transition approach for dealing with issues of lock-in. At the heart of the energy transition project are the activities of transition platforms. In these platforms individuals from the private and the public sector come together to develop a common ambition for particular areas, develop pathways and suggest transition experiments. The approach is viewed as successful in stimulating business to look beyond technical fixes and incremental innovation.

If you wish to learn more about Dr. Kemp's research, please visit his website at: kemp.unu-merit.nl